Many people who own digital cameras choose to print photos at home rather than professionally print them. By using printers connected to their computers or portable photo printers, digital camera users can print their own quality photos. However, for various reasons, some people still prefer to have their photos professionally developed.

Some people just like to take pictures. They are not interested in printers that allow them to print photos in their spare time. They don’t mind buying photo paper with different finishes. They just want to enjoy their pictures without having to deal with any equipment other than their cameras.

When photos are professionally printed, people don’t have to worry about the supplies or equipment needed to produce their photos, such as photo paper, ink, or printers. Although printing digital photos at home is convenient, photographers should maintain their supply of ink and photo paper. Also, when people print their photos at home, they need to make sure their equipment is ready to print. For example, the heads may need to be cleaned several times on a portable printer before clear images can be printed. However, when photos are professionally printed, it is the responsibility of the company to maintain inventory and equipment.

Professional photo printing services offer a variety of photo sizes and finishes. However, people who print their photos at home may be limited by printer and paper compatibility, as well as the size of photos that can be printed on their home or portable printer. Although a personal computer printer can print large photos, most portable printers produce photos that are 4 “x 6” and smaller.

Another benefit of having professionally processed images is the company’s quality assurance. Most photo processing services do not expect customers to pay for substandard photos. If they print unsatisfactory photos, most will offer to reprint them or not charge their customers for them. However, if a person prints a batch of poor quality photos at home, they cannot be reimbursed for the ink or paper used to produce them.

Despite having to pay for ink and photo paper, many digital camera users who print their photos at home rather than using a professional seem to save money. However, photographers who want professional prints and want to save money can find online photo processing services that charge less per image than local photo printers. By uploading their images to company websites, digital camera users can have professional images printed and mailed in a few days for a reasonable price.

Regardless of the technology that makes home-printed photos look professional, some people are not interested in investing in the equipment or learning how to use it. While printing photos at home is convenient for some people, purchasing supplies and maintaining equipment is inconvenient for others. Consequently, many photographers prefer to turn to a professional for their photo printing needs.